A lot has changed in the 59 years since Ernie and Rhoda Blake set-up shop in an eleven-foot camper at the base of Taos Ski Valley. The base village is now flourishing with an abundance and variety of dining, lodging and shopping for guests to enjoy.

For 40 years, the Edelweiss Lodge was as big a part of Taos Ski Valley as the actual skiing. In 2005, the new Edelweiss Lodge and Spa was constructed in the same central location next to Strawberry Hill and is still the number one option for luxury ski lodging in Taos.

ARRIVAL

The drive from the town of Taos into Taos Ski Valley follows the winding Highway 150 for about 19 miles through the Carson National Forest. The canyon road then spits you out in the resort base village, at a lofty elevation of 9,207 feet. You’re then channeled through the various resort parking lots before ending up on Sutton Place and in front of the four-story luxury hotel.

The lodge design is Swiss- and German-inspired but draws from the local Pueblo and Spanish heritage, creating a beauty that is matched only by the surrounding peaks, including 13,167-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico.

Edelweiss offers complimentary parking in their underground garage, where guests can drop off their vehicle before heading to the first floor to check-in. Don’t fret if the garage is filled up, free satellite lots named after local wildlife, the Gila Monster and Armadillo lots for example, abound throughout the base village.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, visitors can revel in the relaxed ambiance, thanks to the warmth of the fireplace and proximity to the hotel bar and lounge. The Edelweiss staff can help you plan out your stay, from dining options to off-slope activities, and always make a point of learning your name.

While checking in, peer into the Blonde Bear Tavern at its wood-paneled ceilings and array of amazing photographs that chronicle the history Taos Ski Valley.

The Blonde Bear Tavern offers European Alpine cuisine made up of local, seasonal ingredients, as well as a comprehensive, thoroughly concocted wine list to compliment it.

The Tavern is also home to a ski-in/ski-out après scene. Pop in from Chair 1 for a snack and a cocktail before heading back out for the last few runs of the day.

THE ROOM

The majority of accommodations at the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa are condominiums. Book a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom condo (700-900 square feet) for your next romantic getaway or a 3 bedroom/3 bathroom (1500-1750 square feet) for the family ski trip.

The Edelweiss also has a limited number of lock-off “Hotel Rooms,” that average 350 square feet in size, and cater to those planning on shorter visits. Each condo is individually owned and decorated, providing all of the comforts of home. Edelweiss condominiums come complete with a living room, gas fireplace and dining area. They also include high-speed Internet access, a washing machine and dryer, and satellite television.

Feel like staying in and resting after tackling Taos’ steeps? No problem. Grab some groceries at the Bumps Market in the base village and utilize the full kitchen in your condo. Kitchens are fully equipped with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms feature a soaking tub as well as a standing shower, a double sink vanity, drying rack and a separate water closet. The in-room washer and dryer combination ensure that you’ll have clean clothes for each day of your visit.

Views of the Strawberry Hill slope, base village, lodge courtyard and fire-pit are all available thanks to exterior or Juliet-style balconies.

SKIER AMENITIES

Hotel guests can use the complimentary ski and board valet service offered through the Alpine Extreme ski shop. The ski shop provides storage for skis, poles and snowboards for all guests, free of charge. Make use of the lodge’s complimentary, private boot lockers and guarantee that your boots stay safe and dry.

Start out your day at the Café Naranja on the first floor of the Edelweiss. Café Naranja is one of Taos’ most popular breakfast spots. Eager skiers and riders can fuel up with fresh-squeezed orange juice, a full espresso bar, freshly-baked pastries and favorites like Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Burritos, smothered in New Mexican red or green chile.

The Edelweiss is a stone’s throw from three different lifts (Chairs 1 and 3, Pioneer Lift), allowing easy access to the hill. After a warm-up lap on Chair 1, guests have the option of lapping expert terrain off of Chairs 2 or 7 (including hike-to terrain), or more intermediate trails located off of Chairs 4 and 8.

After covering Taos’ 1,294 acres of skiable terrain, tired guests can make an appointment at the Edelweiss Spa. Sign up for a deep-tissue massage, a spa specialty, to revitalize tired muscles after lapping the chutes on West Basin Ridge. Rejuvenate your face with an all-natural facial after a day in the Taos sun; the resort averages 300 days of sunshine per year. Spa services are provided by a massage therapy team made up of advanced therapists, each with at least 10 years of experience. Private and small group yoga classes are also available.

In addition to the spa, all guests have access to the outdoor hot tub, dry sauna and exercise room, found on the first floor of the lodge.

Adults and children alike can unwind in the Game Room, where pool and foosball tables await. The Edelweiss fire pit also offers a warm place to enjoy Hot Chocolate and S’Mores.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Edelweiss Lodge and Spa combines a tranquil setting with all the comforts of home and accessibility to some of the best ski town culinary options you can find. It’s central location in the Taos Ski Valley base village, luxurious accommodations and long list of skier amenities make the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa the best option for luxury ski lodging in the area.